I currently own a Prius v ( lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) and have been very pleased with it. My truck was recently stolen so I am in the market for another vehicle. I put about 40k miles a year for work, the gas was killing me. I don't need the truck for the work I do, but I do for hauling and towing my ATV's down to WV several times a year. Instead of spending 30k+ on a new truck I was thinking of getting two used vehicles. A Prius and a truck for when I actually need the capacity. I don't want to spend too much on the Prius as I am very interested in what is coming in the next few years in the electric/PHEV market, specifically the leaf and volt. I would only need something that is going to last a couple years until the market matures a little, (I'm assuming that it will.) Gen 2 used Prius in my area with 50-90k miles are going for around $9k My question is, do you feel this would be a good value? the only unknown for me at least would be the battery, I wouldn't mind paying to have a battery replaced if it meant another 50k miles or so, but prices seem to be all over the map. I have seen 3k from the dealer all the way down to $850 from a third party. Any suggestions what you might do in my situation? I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you
Battery problems? Not commonly reported and the really high mileage guys report cell replacements at over 200k. That isn't to say that the one you buy will be fault free, things fail and your luck may put you on the front slope of the bell curve. But the probability says the traction battery is going to last a long time. Maybe rent a truck for the few times a year you need to haul the ATV. Why tie up money in something so infrequently used. Put it in a newer car? Cell replacement on batteries generally come with warranty. And there are enough Prius cars running around that it is getting less and less mysterious to consider that replacing cells is just something you have to do after a lot of time and miles and the dealer isn't the only place that can do it. I live in a country town of maybe 50k folks and there is a shop here that does em. They run $1,875 plus $300 installation and are guaranteed for 36 months and unlimited miles.
Thanks for the help. I actually thought about renting a truck when needed but when I ran the numbers it just wasn't practical. It would be over $1k a year just for my trips to WV, that's not counting all the times I use the truck for landscaping and side jobs. As for the battery that sounds reasonable to get another 36 months out of a vehicle. especially with the miles I put on. Maybe I'm overanalyzing this, it's just with cars being such a horrible investment I always try to go in prepared with what will face me down the road.
Don't forget the insurance , license and maintenance costs involved with having a spare truck vs renting. Another option is a prius hitch and a small trailer.
There are bolt on Prius hitches. Toyota does not recommend them partially because the Prius has low load carrying capability and going downhill with a heavy load could charge the battery quickly where the brakes are used more. But short hauls with lower weight loads are done. Some have towed camper trailers long distances.
